But, interviewed on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, he insisted that backing Boris Johnson would have been “a betrayal” of his country.

He claimed that his former Vote Leave colleague ducked crucial decisions and failed to show the qualities needed to take over from David Cameron.

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Gove has launched his own bid to become the next Prime Minister

Explaining his withdrawal of support from Mr Johnson, a move that has been branded treacherous by some Tory colleagues, the Justice Secretary said: “I’ve taken some difficult decisions, but I’ve always taken those because I’ve put my country and my principles first.”

Mr Gove said he took the decision “very late” on Wednesday evening after talking to close colleagues and his wife.

He insisted he had tried to ring Mr Johnson to tell him about the decision “but the clock was ticking” in the leadership contest.

Contenders for the Conservative leadership

Thu, July 7, 2016

Here are the list of all the contenders to be the next Tory party leader

Gove’s move against Johnson has been branded treacherous by some Tory colleagues

"I came to the conclusion reluctantly, after throwing my heart and soul for four or five days into trying to get Boris to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, that he could not do that job,” he said.

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Rachel Johnson has called the Justice Secretary a ‘political psychopath’

Brexit: What happens next

Fri, June 24, 2016

After yesterday's referendum, here is a look at what will happen immediately following the historic vote for Britain to leave the EU.